OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN PRO LATEX

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Aug 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
Approximately every two months the foremen enter the latex
storage tanks, a confined space, to clean the inside, and the
confined space was not adequately tested for oxygen and toxic
atmospheres prior to entry into the confined space.  No safety
harness and lifeline was used during the cleaning of the tank,
and the standby person was not stationed outside the confined
space and did not have the appropriate rescue equipment and did
not maintain communication with the employee in the confined
space.  The employees were exposed to possible overexposure to
toxic substances, and oxygen deficient atmospheres.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct these hazards should include:
1.   Expand and enforce the procedures for air monitoring prior
to confined space entry:
The confined space shall be tested prior to entry and on
a regular basis as determined by a qualified person during
occupancy for the presence of toxic substances.  Testing
shall be conducted during the operation for levels of toxic
vapors or gases, to be maintained below the permissible
limits.  Measurements shall be made with instruments
calibrated daily according to manufacturers instructions.
Instrument operator shall be trained in the use and care
of the instrument.
2.   Institute a formal confined space entry program (such as
that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1 - 1977:  American National
Standard of Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and
Other Confined Spaces or the OSHA Proposed Confined Space
Entry Standard).  A minimally acceptable confined entry
procedure consists of the following elements.
a.   Written Procedures covering a permit system,
ventilation, atmospheric testing, rescue procedures,
and employee training.
b.   Employees shall be required to obtain and post a
written authorization signed by a supervisor prior
to confined space entry (a confined space entry
permit).  The permit shall specify the location and
type of work to be done and certify that all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a
qualified person and necessary protective measures
have been taken to ensure the safety of each worker.
c.   Provide mechanical ventilation of the confined space
prior to entry and continued ventilation to provide
a safe atmosphere when determined necessary as
described in (b) above.
d.   Test the confined space prior to entry and on a regular
basis as determined necessary as described in (b)
above, during occupancy for the presence of at least
19.5oxygen and/or presence of toxic substances.
Testing shall be conducted at the same time for levels
of flammable vapors (which should be maintained below
10of the lower explosive limit).  Measurements shall
be made with intruments calibrated daily according
to manufacturer's instructions.  Instrument operators
shall be trained in the use and care of the
instruments.
e.   Lockout and Tagout procedures shall be used for any
electrical or mechanical equipment to which an employee
in a confined space could be exposed.
f.   Personal protective equipment such as respiratory
protection shall be chosen and provided on the basis
of testing and monitoring.  Users of this equipment
shall be trained in its limitations and use.
Respiratory protection shall be used in accordance
with section 1910.134 of 29 CFR General Industry
Standards.
g.   Require an individual to stand by for rescue outside
the confined space to be in immediate contact with
the employee in the confined space.
h.   Emergency rescue procedure shall be established with
a requirement that the stand-by person is stationed
outside of the confined space with the proper equipment
to provide for the rescue of the person entering the
space.  Such equipment shall include a safety harness
and lifeline with provisions for hoisting the employee
from the confined space.  If entry is required for
rescue, the rescue employee shall be equipped with
approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other
appropriate personal protective equipment.
i.   Employees who are required to work in a confined space,
and the stand-by person, shall be trained in all
aspects of the confined space program.
j.   Assignment of a competent individual to ensure
enforcement of the confined space entry procedures,
adequate training of the employees involved in confined
space entry, and proficiency in the use of protective
equipment.
Disclaimers:
a.   The employer is not limited to the abatement methods
suggested by OSHA.
b.   The methods explained are general and may not be effective
in all cases.
c.   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an appropriate abatement method.

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Sep 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Aug 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Jul 6, 1992

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Sep 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Aug 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Aug 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Aug 3, 1992

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Sep 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 17, 1992

Abate by

Sep 3, 1992